We’re entering the peak time for mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus in Saskatchewan, with positive pools of mosquitos already found in the south. The province’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab says after a bite from the Culex Tarsalis, a small number of people develop a serious version of West Nile virus. About 80 per cent of people who are infected won’t show any symptoms. About 1 in 5 will get mild symptoms with headache and fatigue and about 1 in 150 people will get the more serious neuroinvasive disease. The symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation and weakness. It’s when serious symptoms arise, Dr. Shahab says, that medical attention is needed immediately. Provincial West Nile Virus Coordinator Phil Curry encourages everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites by using repellant and limiting your time outside when they are most active, which is between dusk and dawn. (CJGX)